Braid For Open Water

[WiregrassRiverRat]

So I just got a froggin setup and plan to be fishing anything from open water to thick nasty vegitation and lilly pads.. I bought 65lb PP slick in yellow for my reel and so far I love it.. but I am wondering.. is 65lb to big and visible in open water.. just wondering if I am losing fish by having the fat yellow line for open water? Thanks!

[Grizzn N Bassin]

Mmm idk I uae green prower pro... I.guess in clear water maybe. ? But stained or water with less visibility you should be fine.. escpesially if the wind is blowin

[Frenchman83]

I would say no.

[MarkH024]

No. They'll be honing in on your lure...not your line. Frog away.

 

 

 FYI, yellow is hi vis line meant for the angler to see, specifically when watching the line is key (finesse). Not really a factor in frog fishing but definitely still useable.  Next time think about green, brown or camo lines for better blending in the pads/vegetation.

[EvanT123]

I use yellow in 40 on a clear lake no problem. If there going after the frog they won't be worried about the line.

[BassinLou]

Are you losing fish or not attracting fish? Big difference.

[SirSnookalot]

Open water fishing is totally different than fishing in vegetation, imo both line size and gear don't have to be as heavy.  Strictly from my own point of view in open water I would use nothing but spinning gear, I don't use anything heavier than 20# braid and a medium or mh rod and that's saltwater.  In open water freshwater fishing, again it's spinning and 10# braid is what I use.  Catching larger fish in open water is all about your drag, not the line.

[Hogsticker]

Open water fishing is totally different than fishing in vegetation, imo both line size and gear don't have to be as heavy.  Strictly from my own point of view in open water I would use nothing but spinning gear, I don't use anything heavier than 20# braid and a medium or mh rod and that's saltwater.  In open water freshwater fishing, again it's spinning and 10# braid is what I use.  Catching larger fish in open water is all about your drag, not the line.

I agree with everything except the spinning gear part, ha - ha

[SirSnookalot]

I agree with everything except the spinning gear part, ha - ha

Catch a tarpon med spinning gear light line and you'll never fish like a wuss ever again. hehe

[Loop_Dad]

I run Sharpie for the first few feet of my yellow braid.

[dodgeguy]

I run Sharpie for the first few feet of my yellow braid.

 

THEN YOU CAN HAVE ANY COLOR YOU LIKE EVEN CAMO

[J Francho]

^the last two replies^

 

UH HUH!!!

[LMB ANGLER]

spinning gear is the way to go, people just baitcasters because thats the only thing they always used

[J Francho]

spinning gear is the way to go, people just baitcasters because thats the only thing they always used

 

Take it easy with that broad brush stroke - you might get some paint on yourself, lol.

 

You can do spinning with frogs, but it takes some digging for the proper rod.  I believe Rhapsody, and maybe a couple other small companies make a stick marketed toward bass anglers that is suitable for hollow belly frogs.  You'll also want to step outside the usual 1000-2500 series size often recemmended for typical bass fishing.  I've set quite a few people up with medium heavy inshore rods meant for reds and snook, and a 4000 or 5000 series reel with a Carbntex drag upgrade.  These are great tools for people that don't use baitcasting gear.

 

But none of this addresses the original question.....

 

If you're worried about line visibility, mark it up with a black marker.  I find frogging water around pads and slop to be some of the cleares - much clearer than any open water I fish - and don't feel I'm spooking any fish.

[Capt.Bob]

40 Lbs. Sufix 832 for everything!  For me I use multiple setups w/ 20 lbs. for finesse 30 for c riggs and t- riggs, cranks, and spinners. With 50 reserved for wood and heavy vegetation.

[SirSnookalot]

 

 

You'll also want to step outside the usual 1000-2500 series size often recemmended for typical bass fishing.  I've set quite a few people up with medium heavy inshore rods meant for reds and snook, and a 4000 or 5000 series reel with a Carbntex drag upgrade.  These are great tools for people that don't use baitcasting gear.

From what I've been led to believe an inshore blank is pretty much the same as a freshwater one, I personally use a med inshore spinning and 2000 reel with 15# braid for heavy vegetation and slop for bass fishing.  Don't see the point of using a 4000 or 5000 reel for bass, as the drag is set to the line, a drag on 4000 would be about the same as the drag set for a 2000 reel, line capacity isn't an issue either.  Nothing wrong in upgrading a drag, but I wouldn't do it until the stock drag is worn out, stocks are more than adequate for bass, snook too as I replaced my first drag ever on a spinning reel recently.

 

The topic is open water, the reel isn't the issue but the line is in this thread.  There is somewhat of a difference in the meaning of open water.  In freshwater, as open as the water is, there still may be bottom vegetation to deal with, I could see jumping up to 20# or maybe 30# braid, leader or no leader is a choice.  Fishing open water in salt there is much less vegetation, lighter rods and lines can be employed to handle bigger fish, I use med or mh and 20# braid is my max line.  As long as I'm allowing the fish to take drag the line should not break, only does when the drag is way too tight.

[dgalex]

Just an idea.....I used Hi-Seas Quatro Braid in Camo (30lb) test in surf for snook this summer and really like the way it looked and cast. The have 65lb that I'm think about trying for swimbaits and it it might be perfect for frog fishing in any/all conditions.

 

David